Largs youngster Alara Kavak has undergone successful surgery in America after the town raised over £130,000 for the potentially life-changing operation.

The four-year-old and her family flew out for the spinal surgery, which could allow Alara to walk independently for the first time.

Generous people in Largs and across the world ran, cycled, baked, danced and played football for 24 hours to raise the vital cash for the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Mum says reveals the operation went well, and the youngster is now recovering in hospital before they make their way home.

She explained: “The journey to America was great and Alara was a star on the plane, where we had a celebratory cheers to Alara and our hopes that lay ahead.

“We had a few days to settle in and enjoy exploring somewhere new, the sun was shining too which is never a bad thing.

“The big day came when we squeezed her a little bit tighter, and thankfully the surgery went well and now it’s time to recover.

“Thank you to everyone for all the well wishes, love, thoughts and prayers for Alara’s surgery.

Fiona reveals the campaigns initial £80,000 has been smashed, with more than £130,000 raised to help with Alara’s future physio.

She said: “We are overwhelmed to say that our fundraising journey has received a total of £116,500, with nearly £16,000 in gift aid too.

“The help and donations just didn’t seem to stop, they just kept coming and coming, it has been truly incredible.

“We will never close Alara’s page and will always be open to receive help as there is only one way Alara’s funds will go.

“As you can imagine a large amount has already gone but we have an incredible pot of funds to support many years of physio, and it’s all thanks to your generosity.”

Fiona and dad Ozkan have given a special mention to Andros Stakis and his Reo Stakis Chartable Foundation, who came through with a huge donation for Alara.

She added: “We had hope or receiving a big donation so we could make our payment deadline for Alara’s life-changing spinal surgery.

“We contacted charity after charity with no success, then we heard from Andros Stakis, the amazing man that he is.

“We honestly just couldn’t believe the trustees of the Reo Stakis Charitable Foundation were happy to support Alara’s Little Legs with an incredible donation of £5000.

“This came at a time when our payment deadline was fast approaching and this incredible donation truly helped us to make our deadline.

“I can’t express how incredible this moment was, to receive such overwhelming kindness, we had tears of absolute pure joy.”

You can donate to Alara’s ongoing physio and rehabilitation at www.justgiving.com/campaign/alaraslittlelegs.